From Zero to Zero Emissions in 2.9 Seconds

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From Zero to Zero Emissions in 2.9 Seconds

The Isle of Man TT is among the oldest and most storied races in motorsports. An eco-conscious motorcycle fanatic hopes to open a new chapter in its history with what he calls the world's first high-speed zero-emissions grand prix.

TTxGP will showcase motorcycles and three-wheelers fueled by anything that doesn't emit tailpipe pollution. They'll race on the same 38-mile mountain course where conventional bikes hit speeds in excess of 120 mph. "This is an event where cutting-edge technology, systems and designs can be tested against the best in the world and rapidly refined and improved," race founder Azhar Hussain told Wired.com. "All of this means that clean tech is delivered to the consumer faster than it would otherwise."

Yeah, but why race on an island in the middle of the Irish Sea?

Hussain, who co-founded a company that makes iPod and gaming accessories, says the TT is the perfect venue because it has a long history and broad appeal that will give green tech a large audience. It's also been hosting the race for 100 years, so it's got the infrastructure and the staff to pull it off without a hitch. Hussain limited the race to motorcycles and three-wheelers because they're cheaper to build than cars and require less power to reach racing speeds. "It allows the TTxGP's first grand prix to be accessible to as wide a number of people as possible," he says. The goal is to create an ongoing series of zero-emission races and open it up to cars at a time and on a circuit to be determined down the line.

TTxGP runs June 12 at the conclusion of the Isle of Man TT. The rules are still being worked out – Hussain says they'll be ready later this month – but there will be two classes. The open class caps vehicle budgets at $60,000 but the sky's the limit in the "pro" class. Two teams have signed up so far – Kingston University in London and Electric Motor Sports, the California company that builds electric motorcycles and sells other electric vehicles.

The Isle's Council of Ministers has given the race "approval in principal," according to Isle of Man Today, but the TT's clerk of the course told the paper the TTxGP is not a done deal. "It's still very much pie in the sky, if I can put it like that," Eddie Nelson told the paper. "Ican't say at this moment that it will definitely happen. Mr. Hussain has got some ideas which he has put to us. But he needs to come back with some more ideas and some more suggestions."

Nelson says he wonders how many people will participate in the race, noting, "you can't put on a race for five people." Hussain says race organizers are behind him and he's confident the race will go on as planned.

*UPDATE, July 9: Azhar Hussain sent us this email regarding the Isle of Man Today report: "Eddie Nelson has denied this statement and has publicly supported this TTXGP ever since. The ACU, his employers who are affiliated with the FIM have publicly refuted what he said and have come out strongly supporting the event." *

*Gary Thompson, general secretary of Auto-Cycle Union (Britain's governing body of motorcycle motorsports), says in a statement **, "We are fully behind the principle of the TTxGP Clean Emission GrandPrix and believe this a wonderful concept, which could add a new dimension to the great TT races without encroaching on anything the traditional races have to offer." *